Sport
30 May, 2025
Locals tackle Serra Terror
While many locals will spend the upcoming King’s Birthday Weekend relaxing with friends and family, a group of Maryborough mums are preparing to tackle a gruelling endurance challenge.
Heather Leach, Jaclyn Beer, Gillian Cain and Nicole Liddlecoat are participating in the Serra Terror, a two-day, 80-kilometre walk that takes hikers through the beautiful Grampians National Park.
While trekking through a remote forest for two days sounds like a worst-case scenario for many, the concept isn’t foreign for these friends.
In April 2024, the quartet completed the 100 km Great Aussie Hike, a charity event that emphasises fostering bonds and improved wellbeing through a shared experience.
Even after being forced to wear Ugg boots for a week after the event due to losing several toenails, Beer said the hike was an unforgettable adventure.
“Considering walking 100 km is pretty brutal, it was a really great experience and everyone got along so well,” she said.
“The comradery was fantastic we just all encouraged each other and we all said that we would do it all again in a heartbeat.”
Leach echoed Beer’s sentiments, saying the presence of her close friends wiped away any fear of the challenge.
“You didn’t even notice that you were doing 100 km because you were too busy just talking, laughing, and having fun,” she said.
“I ended up tearing a tendon in my foot about 93 km in and we still went through the event and the girls bolstered me to get through to that 100 km mark.”
While many would be more than happy to hang up their hiking boots after one endurance event, the group is enthusiastic to hit the trail once again.
Often caught up with their busy schedules, Leach said endurance events have been a fantastic way for the friends to spend quality time with each other, strengthening their bond.
“All four of us are very busy working mums so we can’t get together as much as we like so this sort of event brings us all together and keeps us connected,” she said.
“It keeps us fit and active, it motivates you with a goal in mind and the support and friendship of the girls during the year accumulates when you’re doing an event.
“It will be a different view too because the track itself through the Grampians is through the valley that was burnt out so it’s going to be amazing to see the regrowth and everything coming back to life.”